Advanced Practice Nurse Analysis

The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is a leader and team member who is capable of diagnosing, treating, and providing follow-up care to a variety of patients. Depending on the state in which the APN is licensed will determine his or her scope of practice. The three different levels the APN can practice are full, reduced, or restricted (Expanded roles, 2015). In some states, the APN is completely autonomous while in other states the APN might need the supervision or collaboration of a physician. The state of New Jersey requires the APN to have a collaboration agreement with a physician. Research validates that APNs’ provide quality, safe, and evidence-based care (Torre & Drake, 2014). In order to increase public access to health care, all states
Nurse practitioners, in the state of New Jersey, are allowed to pronounce death, but the physician must be the one to determine the cause of death. The APN’s scope of practice is autonomous, except for prescribing medications or ordering medical devices for her/his patients. The APN does not need to consult the physician about a patient’s diagnosis, treatment or follow-up. The physician does not have to be present in any aspect of the APN treating his/her patient. New Jersey law holds nurse practitioners independently responsible ethically and legally for the services, they
State laws and the N.J. Division of Consumer Affairs further define the APN’s scope of practice and ensures strict adherence to these regulations. Licensure, accreditation, education and certification confirm that the APN is competent and capable of providing safe client care. Requiring continuing CEU’s will keep the APN current within her field. Research over the past two decades has shown that the nurse practitioner provides quality care with outcomes similar to those of the physician (Torre & Drake, 2014). APN’s are already working in multiple clinical areas such as private practices, emergency rooms, obstetrics, and anesthesia departments, and providing the public with much needed healthcare services. Insurance companies and governmental agencies such as Medicaid and Medicare are now allowing for direct reimbursement to nurse practitioners for the care they provide. Typically, an APN is reimbursed at 80-85 % of a physician’s charge. Utilizing more nurse practitioners is a cost effective way to help contain soaring healthcare prices (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2013). When the State of New